Our call to action

Although there has been progress, social and economic inequalities persist across the world, with the already most endangered groups of people suffering disproportionately. Inequality and inequity are a result of human failure, and are therefore neither ubiquitous nor inevitable. This provides the platform to strengthen our resolve for action. Equity is a policy choice.

Inequality is overlaid by global mega-trends including demographic and social change, rapid urbanization, climate change and shifts in economic power and technology. Our world is complex, uncertain and ambiguous with systems that are constantly changing.

Our Fellows and staff are accomplished leaders working in diverse settings and contexts who together can think, learn, incubate and implement strategies for greater impact. The level and scale (current and projected) of diversity and inclusion in the community of Fellows is unprecedented in any fellowship program in the world.

Our diversity means that our Fellows are in proximity to the challenges. They are not just passive recipients or beneficiaries of change but rather the agents of change in the communities that they serve.

“This idea that you could get different change agents from different sectors and with different experiences, who could not only agree well and collaborate well, but disagree well and respect each other through philosophical or ideological differences. I joined to be part of that and to see how that could develop over time.”

DEAN PARKIN, Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity, who is empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organizations and communities to craft their own narratives and lead their own change and development